Canada provides students a platform where they can experience a unique multicultural environment in a safe and beautiful North American country. Around 200,000 international students and researchers choose to study in Canada each year. This article will brief you about what all you need to apply for an MS program in Canada.

Academic Eligibility

Most of the universities in Canada require 16 years of education or a four-year Bachelor’s degree. Some of the programs offered in India, such as BSc, BCom and BA, which are of three years, limit the formal education to 15 years. While there are some universities which accept 15 years of formal education as well, it is advisable to either complete either a Master’s program or a one year PG Diploma in India before applying to Canadian universities.

Usually, applicants are expected to have a minimum GPA (often of 3.0/4.0 or its international equivalent). For Indian students, a first Class/Division 1 (65%) or Very Good (8 on a 10-point scale) is the general academic criterion.

Preparation Courses

In case your previous studies do not match the minimum academic requirements laid down by your target universities – you can get enrolled in a one-year pre-Master program offered by a local university to bridge this gap. Preparation courses in Canada also include academic English language training, which helps international students meet the university language requirements.

To get admitted to a Canadian University, you will need to have a TOEFL/IELTS score. Certain courses in top universities require the GRE score as well. Next, we touch upon these standardized tests and a few other requirements.

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination has three main divisions: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. GRE requirements vary in accordance with the program of study, and your target program may not even require it.

TOEFL/IELTS SCORE

Letter Of Recommendation (LOR)

A letter of recommendation, also known as a letter of reference plays a big role in your admission in MS courses. Universities want to hear about you from people you’ve worked with. These letters should ideally supplement the story being brought about by other parts of your application. For MS in Canada, most universities require at two to three recommendation letters.

SOP

For admissions to Masters programs, most universities in Canada require a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The SOP details your reasons for applying for the program and gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant impression of you as an individual.

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Aishwarya Bhatt
A bookworm who transforms into a web-usability evangelist, when her favorite blend of coffee is flowing in her veins. Happiest in a bookstore and when she is painting with words on paper!